Collins Aerospace Systems awarded test range work

Collins Aerospace Systems will update software and operator consoles US Air Force, Navy and Army test ranges under multiple task orders announced on 8 August.

The task orders total more than $7.6 million. The company will update computer operating systems (OS) and operator consoles of the Common Range Integrated Instrumentation System (CRIIS) for the three branches of the US military’s test ranges.

The effort will resolve OS obsolescence, improve system security and incorporate lessons learned to enhance system operator workflow. 

CRIIS is replacing legacy Department of Defense (DoD) test range systems including Advanced Range Data System and Air-to-Air Range Infrastructure systems in use at major US military ranges. The system supports the DoD’s vision of a common test and training infrastructure for improved operational realism.

Collins Aerospace’s CRIIS includes operator consoles for mission setup, datalink network control, real-time evaluation, post-mission data analysis and system maintenance. With the new updates, a single, common operating system configuration for all system computers will be in place to greatly reduce the life-cycle cost to perform updates over time.

In addition to the traditional data collection capability of an instrumentation system, CRIIS includes the ability to uplink and downlink ground and aircraft data. This enables seamless interaction between live and synthetic participants for highly-realistic test or training missions.